About our registers

Register of Professional Private Music Teachers

Our comprehensive directory of music teachers, offering a guarantee of professional status through membership of the ISM. Before being admitted to the Register, teachers must go through a stringent vetting process to demonstrate that they are professionally qualified and experienced music teachers. Music teachers listed in this Register are all members of the ISM and members of the ISM's specialist Private Teachers Section. The teachers are listed only after ISM colleagues and staff have scrutinised their qualifications, experience and achievements. This rigorous approach is applied to each instrument offered.

A member of the ISM Register of Professional Private Music Teachers will:

• be a fully professional, trained music teacher;
• be interested in the musical development of each student and expected to prepare an individual programme of study for each pupil;
• be expected to sustain an interest in their own professional skills and development;
• charge a professional fee for providing a professional service which will include preparation, marking, record keeping and planning;
• be expected to maintain their own business records, usually as a self-employed musician.

ISM registered teachers are required to follow the ISM code of ethics, the ISM code of practice for private music teachers and the ISM child protection policy.

Child protection

At the time of their entry to the ISM Register of Professional Private Music Teachers, all members are required to submit to appropriate vetting checks including a Criminal Records Bureau check or a former DfES List 99 check.

Register of Performers and Composers

Musicians listed in the Register of Performers & Composers are all members of the ISM and members of the ISM's specialist Performers and Composers Section. You can find all types of performer: singers, instrumentalists, soloists, orchestral and session musicians, accompanists and church musicians; as well as composers, conductors, arrangers, orchestrators, copyists, editors, international and national adjudicators, jurists and masterclass tutors. Applicants must demonstrate their professional status by showing evidence of at least three recent professional engagements or commissions.

ISM registered performers and composers are required to follow the ISM ISM code of ethics, the ISM code of practice for performers and composers and the ISM child protection policy.

Register of Musicians in Education

Musicians listed in this Register are all members of the ISM and members of the ISM's specialist Musicians in Education Section, which brings together musicians working in all fields of education. The Register includes musicians who work in any of the areas of formal education in maintained and independent schools, recognised colleges, conservatoires, universities, music services, advisory services, the Inspectorates, specialist training for instrumentalists at all levels, music therapy, special needs education, adult education, extra-mural studies, consultancy, or for school and college examination boards.

ISM registered musicians in education are required to follow the ISM ISM code of ethics and the ISM child protection policy.

Complaints and disciplinary procedure

If you have a complaint about the conduct of any member our Registers, please write to our Chief Executive at the address below. We investigate all complaints, following the ISM complaints and disciplinary procedure.